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April 13, 2003
Consul's Farewell Address to the Chapter
Consul’s Farewell Address to the Chapter
David J. Martens
April 13, 2003
Remembering that our roots lie within that of a literary society, I believe it important that each Consul, at the close of his term, should address the chapter after a period of introspection and reflection. My hope is that it becomes a long standing tradition in which he aims to summate his term as the leader of the chapter, perhaps providing insight to the alumni brothers, closure for undergraduate brothers, and learned lessons for those who are yet to come.
In our lives, we go through stages or cycles—and this Iota Sigma Chapter of Sigma Chi is no different. Today we finish our most recent chapter in what has been a storied history of this organization at Valparaiso University. But just as we end, we also begin, turning the page with the introduction of new members to our order, and new leaders to assist us as we forge ahead.
This address comes after moments of reflection in which I replayed the year in my head and asked those simple but important questions: What have we done? What have we learned? How are we better having spent this together? Reflection, contemplation, a thoughtful pause—whatever it may be, is of vital importance. We can only learn from our experiences if we understand them. Heed the lesson from our I-Week readings; reminding us the importance of closing our mouths for a moment to let our caged bird of thought and imagination fly freely.
Examining the most recent chapter of the Iota Sigma story, we find a group of men who continue to demonstrate that they are of high minds and strong hearts. For any group of individuals to succeed together as unit requires that their foundation is a sound one. Ours is sound in that we remain grounded in the Ritual. We continue to make that our top priority—all of our activities, programs, and efforts can be traced to it. We do things because they are the right thing to do, not because they bring us honor or accolades. It is at the heart of who we are. Through our ritual we build a sense of true brotherhood, which enables us to achieve whatever we set out to accomplish.
It is that brotherhood that dictates the course of our actions. And it is that brotherhood that binds us together, in good times and bad. This year we have seen great moments, be it winning recognition at the Indiana State Day or hosting a Derby Days campaign that not only captivated the campus community but also raised the bar in the arena of philanthropic contributions. But we have also seen tough times—none more difficult than that fateful week in February in which we lost one of our own.
But again, we are called upon to learn from these experiences. In our darkest hour, with the dark clouds of adversity engulfing us—when our hearts were sore, faith weak, and courage all but gone, we endured. Moreover, we flourished. The essence of an organization’s character is tested and truly revealed in times of trial. Do not forget praying together. Sitting in that church together. Riding in that bus, together. Saying goodbye together. Take lessons from that experience. When times are hard we do not quit. We may falter but we do not fall. We pause, we collect ourselves, and we continue onward—together.
And so we must continue onward in our mission on this campus. We must continue to seek out ways in which we can live our values everyday—by both example and activity. It means choosing to be involved in causes in the campus community, for by doing so, not only do we grow and mature and learn, but we share ourselves with those around us. This chapter was the impetus for bringing respectability back to the Greek community when it began 13 years ago. We must continue the commitment to standing out and being a catalyst for what happens and what matters in this campus and community. That requires courage and ambition. We have both. But we must see it through to fruition. We must dream big and then do big. We say that world expects more of us than it does of other men. Each of us must continue to ask ourselves, “Are we meeting those expectations?”
It is helpful to regularly ask ourselves why we exist as a fraternity—and specifically, what each of us is doing here. Ponder, ‘Why does Sigma Chi matter?’ Why do I invest my time, my talents, and my means in this chapter? What am I putting in, and concurrently, getting out?
As we are reminded in our pledgeship, Sigma Chi is about asking questions, for it is through those inquiries that each of us can learn and find our own answers. If we do not question, we do not grow and improve. My own inquiries affirm that Sigma Chi matters because it is about personal relationships—relationships that help us learn from another, and if we have the courage, to do great things. It builds character, sometimes in ways we might never imagine. Weekly chapter meetings provide an exercise in standing up and declaring what we believe, both as a group and as individuals. Leadership opportunities give us lessons in life and relationships. Our Ritual reminds us to seek what is noblest and best. These things only begin to explain why I am proud to wear the badge of this fraternity—and why the experiences it has given me are immeasurable in value.
Oftentimes a brother will bring in a literary work to read to the chapter, be it an inspirational quote or perhaps words from a great thinker. From those readings we learn lessons from those who have come before us. We aim to make ourselves better through the experiences of those speaking to us. But we must not forget that in our midst we have our own great thinkers. The names Peterson, Puetz, Ackerman and Johnson (to name a few) while not Aurelius or Socrates, provide insight and wisdom in its most personal form. Each of us here are philosophers of sorts, our words providing guidance, insight, and means of aiding one another. Never forget the power of your voice—and always listen. Hear what is said and take it to heart.
This group of individuals is a special one. It has been the greatest honor for me to serve as your Consul. I will never forget the shared experiences and countless things I have learned because of this opportunity—and because of my interactions with each of you.
You now begin a new chapter to the Iota Sigma story. And you do so with an optimistic and confident eye to the future. Continue to strive for what is noblest and best and you will be able to say with clarity and assuredness that you have finished your work.
Laugh. Smile. Be different. Be proud. And enjoy every step of the way.